Queens Parks Rangers yesterday stripped Joey Barton of the club captaincy and
publicly warned him that he potentially could be sacked for another serious
breach of discipline.

The sanctions against Barton, which also included a £480,000 fine, followed an internal club investigation into his behaviour in the match against Manchester City on the final day of the season.

Barton has already been suspended for 12 games and fined £75,000 by the Football Association after being sent-off for elbowing Carlos Tévez, kicking out at Sergio Agüero and then appearing to aim a butt at Vincent Kompany. QPR then launched their own disciplinary review. “QPR can confirm Joey Barton has been fined six weeks’ wages and will no longer be club captain,” said a statement.

“If Barton seriously breaches the club’s disciplinary procedures again, the club reserves the right to terminate his contract.” Barton has also been told that he will not be part of Mark Hughes’ squad for their pre-season tour of Asia in mid-July.

&lt;noframe&gt;Twitter: Joseph Barton - ...12 games, is what really hurts. I was stupid and that what happens when u do dumb things. I am confident ill bounce back. Cannot wait.&lt;/noframe&gt;

A decision on whether Barton will be selected in QPR’s Premier League squad will be left until the end of August, although it is understood that he is not currently part of manager Hughes’ plans.

Barton, whose contract does not expire until 2015, accepted the club sanction and clearly still wants to rebuild his career at QPR. Through the club, he apologised to Hughes, his team-mates and the supporters.

On Twitter, he later added: “I was reckless and deserved every punishment. Money comes and goes, it’s not important to me. Losing the captaincy and missing 12 games, is what really hurts. I was stupid and that what happens when u do dumb things. I am confident ill bounce back. I wish to put it behind me now and help QPR, once available of course, push on towards the top half.”